WEST CHESTER LIBRARY ASSOCIATION WEST CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY

WEST CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY PROVIDES ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS EQUAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION, IDEAS, AND KNOWLEDGE THROUGH BOOKS, PROGRAMS, AND OTHER RESOURCES TO SUPPORT LIFELONG LEARNING. WEST CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVES THE GREATER WEST CHESTER COMMUNITY WITH MATERIALS, PROGRAMS, AND INFORMATION FOR ALL AGES. THE LIBRARY'S PCS AND FREE WI-FI CONNECTION PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AS WELL AS UP-TO-DATE DOCUMENT CREATION SOFTWARE. PROGRAMS INCLUDE CHILDREN'S STORY TIMES AND SUMMER READING CLUB; MATERIALS AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR TEENS AND TWEENS; AND BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS, AUTHOR VISITS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS. WCPL COLLABORATES WITH A NUMBER OF AREA ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY BUILDING.WCPL (LIBRARY) PROVIDES TRAINED STAFF TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS IN ACCESSING LIBRARY'S & CCLS MEMBER LIBRARIES' RESOURCES; LOCATING & ASSESSING ACCURATE INFORMATION VIA INTERNET; USING TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE AT THE LIBRARY (PCS, SCANNER, DOCUMENT CREATION SOFTWARE, ETC.); ACCESSING E-MATERIALS. CHILDREN'S SUMMER PROGRAMS WERE FULLY BOOKED. STAFF CONTINUED TO USE VIRTUAL PLATFORMS SUCH AS ZOOM, KAHOOT!, AND INSTAGRAM TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS TO SUPPLEMENT IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING. STAFF PROVIDED BOTH IN-PERSON EARLY LITERACY OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO AREA DAY-CARES & PRE-SCHOOLS SERVING LOW INCOME & AT-RISK FAMILIES, & CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.THE LIBRARY'S CORE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A CURRENT & USEFUL COLLECTION OF MATERIALS IN A VARIETY OF FORMATS, INCLUDING DIGITAL, FOR USE BY, GREATER WEST CHESTER AREA & CHESTER COUNTY RESIDENTS, STUDENTS, & PROPERTY OWNERS. 2023 BORROWING TOTALED 146,305 ITEMS. E-MATERIAL USE TOTALED 29,640, ABOUT 20% OF TOTAL 2023 CIRCULATION. THE LIBRARY RECEIVED FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF ITS CHILDREN'S SUMMER READING CHALLENGE THROUGH THE COMMONWEALTH OF PA'S EITC PROGRAM ($35,000). STAFF MARKET AND PROMOTE THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTIONS, PROGRAMS, & SERVICES THROUGH IN-HOUSE INFORMATION, SPECIAL DISPLAYS, E-NEWSLETTERS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA. STAFF ALSO PRESENT AND/OR HOST PROGRAMS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY AND FOR ALL AGE RANGES. THE LIBRARY HIRES OR PARTNERS WITH OUTSIDE PERSONS OR ORGANIZATIONS TO PRESENT SOME PROGRAMS REQUIRING EXPERTISE IN THE SUBJECT.SUPPLIES, OCCUPANCY COSTS, EQUIPMENT PURCHASES, WEEKLY CLEANING, & REPAIR COSTS TO MAINTAIN LIBRARY BUILDING & FURNISHINGS, AND LIBRARY MATERIALS. LIBRARY IS OPEN DAILY MONDAYS-SATURDAYS FOR A TOTAL OF 50 HOURS PER WEEK. LIBRARY HAS PCS/LAPTOPS, COPIER/PRINTER/SCANNER, & FREE, PASSWORDED WI-FI AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE. LIBRARY'S COMMUNITY/MEETING ROOM, WHEN NOT IN USE FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMS, IS AVAILABLE FOR ELL & LITERACY TUTORS TO MEET IN. LOCAL GROUPS & BUSINESSES MAY RENT THE ROOM WHEN IT IS NOT OTHERWISE IN USE.